It doen't even require Max. We know that peoples powers are expanding in scope i.e. Alison's flight and Moonshadow's illusions. Patrick may have upgrade to mental projections all on his own.
Or true mind control if he didn't have it before (and just lied about not having it).
"That's a horrible idea! What time?"
T-Shirt given to me by a good friend.. "in fairness, I was unsupervised at the time".